Drama. Eighteen people escaped death after the LCT Caroline ship sank between Andovoranto and Vatomandry. Departing from Toamasina on Sunday, June 28 at 5 a.m., the vessel was carrying twelve crew members, six passengers, two hundred fifty-four tons of cargo and a truck with trailer. Around 6:30 p.m., the crew reported a leak to the Maritime and River Port Agency of Madagascar (AMPF) in Toamasina. Three other ships, the Maeva, the Savanah IV and the Espérance VII, were mobilized to attempt assistance, but contact with the Caroline was unfortunately lost. At 10 p.m., the AMPF dispatched the fast patrol boat Atsantsa IV to follow the distressed vessel's route. At 3 a.m., a sailor was rescued in open sea, confirming that the Caroline had sunk. Search operations continued and yesterday at 1:30 p.m., the seventeen other people were found safe and sound off Dombala island. The losses were significant. The ship and its cargo were engulfed, but all eighteen people on board survived.